Tur till Ponary Memorial Park, Änglarnas kulle och Trakai Castle

Our guide was very good, but the tour seemed pricey for what it was. Luckily, the weather cooperated after two very rainy days.

First of all, huge kudos for not cancelling the trip - I was the only traveler that day, so it was essentially a private tour on a small-group price! The meeting place was easy to locate - it's actually not within the square, but just outside where the city sightseeing tour bus usually departs. My guide found me easily. The iffy thing that day was the weather - a huge windstorm was forecast to hit in the late afternoon, and it was rainy early in the morning. Somehow, our luck held and we never really experienced any rain or very high winds. First stop was the memorial park, a sombre, peaceful forest that hid an atrocious history. The atmosphere after the rain was appropriately grey and peaceful - an uneasy sort of tranquility especially in the context of the site's history. The Hill of Angels was next, and that was fun! Various sculptures and statues made for interesting photography, showcasing the woodcarving traditions of Lithuania. It was not crowded (probably because of the wind warnings), and I had a great time there. Finally, Trakai Castle. It was quite an interesting place with its medieval history and geography, and we spent the most time here - about 2 hours. We explored the aristocratic and military rooms, the various exhibits (can be overwhelming if time is short, so I suggest picking the most interesting ones and stick with them). Lunch was on my own, and I had one of the yummy Kibinai pastry stuffed with lamb. Sitting with a warm lunch by the lakes of Trakai was really nice. My guide dropped me back into Vilnius by 3:30 pm, still rain-free but the winds were picking up. I thanked her graciously for her time and knowledge, and was very happy with the entire trip.

Pickup was confusing because of street closures for an event but the guide found us. It was only 3 of us in the group. The guide was very good, but a little hard to understand at times, which was fine because English was not her first language. She was very knowledgable and explained everything well. It was a very good tour.

We had a well planned tour to 3 sites including Trakai Castle. Our guide was professional and knew the extensive history behind each site. We had a great time.

Trakai Castle is a highlight, I would have liked even more interpretation. Memorial Park is important and unfortunately depressing. The Hill of Angels delivered welcome whimsy. Our guide was prompt, caring, and informative.

Booked through Viator (big mistake), received few minutes after confirmation from the operator Discover Lithuania (bigger mistake) that the date I booked would not have the tour happening and offered alternative dates. Responded within half hour and picked one of the options offered. Had to follow up on a response to get them replying. Responses very generic, incomplete and full of mistakes , had to ask back clarifications. Between that crappy communication from their side, their last message was saying that there is no meed to change, mentioning the original day. So I showed up the day I booked, waited for 45’ with no one showing up. Another guy from Discover Lithuania was meeting some other people at the same meeting point and asked me which tour am I waiting for, saw my voucher and said someone is coming. Texted them to ask if there is a delay and was shocked to read that they did not mean that the tour was happening that day!!! They blamed me for their mistake and them not being clear in their FULL of mistakes communication, saying that I will lose my money if I don’t go the day they had me booked for!!! I had made other plans after they said that the original date was available and that was no option anymore for me. They ruined my day and have to make new arrangements to spend it. I submitted a full refund request, if they try to reject it, will take it as a fraud. So bottom line and after that experience, by all means do not recommend Discover Lithuania and will NEVER book again through Viator.

Good transportation, nice staff helps taking photos, informative, sufficient time to visit different scenic spots

My wife and I recently joined a private couples tour combining Trakai Castle and the Ponary Memorial during our visit to Lithuania, and it proved to be one of the most enriching and balanced days of our trip. The tour was exceptionally well-organized, with a knowledgeable and sensitive guide who provided insightful historical context while respecting the reflective nature of both sites. We began at the picturesque Trakai Castle, situated on an island in Lake Galvė. The setting is truly romantic, with its red-brick Gothic architecture reflected in the calm waters and surrounded by lush greenery. Our guide shared fascinating details about the castle’s medieval history as the residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, bringing the site to life without overwhelming the experience. We enjoyed a peaceful stroll across the causeway, took memorable photographs, and appreciated the serene atmosphere perfect for a couple seeking both beauty and history. The visit felt intimate and unhurried, allowing us time to simply absorb the scenery and reflect on the region’s heritage. The second part of the tour took us to the Ponary Memorial, a profoundly moving site commemorating the victims of the mass executions carried out during the Holocaust and other atrocities of World War II. Our guide delivered the information with great care and respect, helping us understand the historical significance while creating space for quiet contemplation. Though solemn, the experience deepened our appreciation for the resilience of the Lithuanian people and served as a meaningful complement to the earlier historical visit. It prompted thoughtful conversations between us about history, remembrance, and the importance of peace. The transportation was comfortable, the pacing ideal for a couples itinerary, and the guide’s professionalism made the day both educational and emotionally resonant. We left with a greater understanding of Lithuania’s complex past alongside cherished shared memories. I would highly recommend this tour to any couple interested in history, culture, and meaningful travel experiences. It struck an excellent balance between wonder and reflection. Thank you to the tour operator and our excellent guide for curating such a high-quality experience. We will remember this day fondly for years to come.

We took the tour yesterday with our guide/driver Jurate who was excellent. She is very knowledgeable and taught us a lot of history of all the places we visited. She is very nice and was able to drop us off near our hotel after the tour. Highly recommend.

Very informational and educational guided with a perfect mix of self exploration opportunities! Beautiful nature and locations!